Zeros For Rhinos

In the continuing saga of South Africa’s rhino two new players have paired up to help move up to 100 rhino across the border to Botswana to escape the risk of poachers. Great Plains Conservation and &Beyond are two of Africa’s leading conservation companies, &Beyond already successfully moved 6 rhino from South Africa to Botswana last year. Their Zeros For Rhinos collaboration aims to increase the number of rhino moved to Botswana to 100. With the official number of poached rhino in 2013 at 1004 efforts such as this could not be more necessary.

 The process of translocation means the rhino are captured and micro chipped for research purposes and then released into the safety of Botswana where security measures are better equipped to protect these increasingly endangered animals. A dedicated anti-poaching team will also be on hand to work together with the Botswana government agencies to monitor the animals. Dereck Joubert, CEO of Great Plains Conservation, doesn’t see this initiative as “branded conservation” but rather a conservation effort anyone and everyone can be involved with. &Beyond’s CEO Joss Kent agrees, saying that a translocation of this size requires partnership and resources. Both companies are initiating fundraising efforts, the estimated cost of the project is USD8 million, with the aim of moving the 100 rhino to safety in 2015.http://www.africatravel.com/news/zeros-for-rhinos